Carnitas-Style Pork Shoulder Slow Cooker

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-apart tender pork with citrus-cinnamon notes, made entirely in the slow cooker for effortless weeknight dinners. This mexican-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 490 minutes pairs pork shoulder, large orange, cinnamon stick for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.8 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place pork shoulder in slow cooker. Zest and slice orange into 1/4-inch rounds, then place over pork.
  2. Step 2: Smush garlic cloves with salt and pepper to form a paste, then rub evenly over pork.
  3. Step 3: Add cinnamon stick, apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 cup water to slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork pulls apart easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork, discard cinnamon stick, and strain cooking liquid into a saucepan. Simmer 15 minutes until reduced by half and slightly syrupy.
  6. Step 6: Shred pork, pour sauce over top, and serve with extra orange slices.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Carnitas-Style Pork Shoulder Slow Cooker take to make?

Total time is about 490 minutes (10 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Carnitas-Style Pork Shoulder Slow Cooker?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Carnitas-Style Pork Shoulder Slow Cooker?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Carnitas-Style Pork Shoulder Slow Cooker for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Carnitas-Style Pork Shoulder Slow Cooker whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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